Saturday, 15 February 2014

To the bottom of the world and back (part 8)

Day 17. The Antarctic continent. The southernmost, coldest, windiest, driest, highest and most remote. Waking very early to snow, peaks, icebergs, reflections, stillness.

After a quick breakfast, a landing at Neko Harbour and opportunities for Gentoo penguin and Weddell seal watching on the rock strewn beach. Taking time to put the camera down and just absorb, just relish the strange light, the silence. Then a hike up through deep snow to reach a vantage point overlooking Neko Glacier.

Snowfall (and the other kind of fall whilst moving out of the way of a determined Leopard seal) in the afternoon as the zodiac negotiated a tricky landing at Danko Island. Mingling with yet more Gentoos and a glimpse of a baby or two.

Later, the chance to get up close to icebergs and an ice whale. Much much later, the real thing as the ship, making steady progress through the night, was escorted by a pod of Humpbacks. So big. So magestic. So very difficult to photograph.

Comments

Day 17. The Antarctic continent. The southernmost, coldest, windiest, driest, highest and most remote. Waking very early to snow, peaks, icebergs, reflections, stillness.

After a quick breakfast, a landing at Neko Harbour and opportunities for Gentoo penguin and Weddell seal watching on the rock strewn beach. Taking time to put the camera down and just absorb, just relish the strange light, the silence. Then a hike up through deep snow to reach a vantage point overlooking Neko Glacier.

Snowfall (and the other kind of fall whilst moving out of the way of a determined Leopard seal) in the afternoon as the zodiac negotiated a tricky landing at Danko Island. Mingling with yet more Gentoos and a glimpse of a baby or two.

Later, the chance to get up close to icebergs and an ice whale. Much much later, the real thing as the ship, making steady progress through the night, was escorted by a pod of Humpbacks. So big. So magestic. So very difficult to photograph.